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Franck Muller Celebrates The Art of Skeletonisation

Written by: Franck Muller

22 Oct 2026

Franck Muller Celebrates The Art of Skeletonisation - Cortina Watch Malaysia

Franck Muller celebrates one of haute horlogerie’s most exacting disciplines with three exceptional creations that each showcase a distinct interpretation of skeletonisation. From the architectural complexity of a triple jumping complication to the seemingly impossible mechanics of a mystery display and the poetic transformation of bridges into floral motifs, these timepieces demonstrate how the art of openworking can take radically different forms while remaining rooted in technical excellence.

Through the intricate art of skeletonisation, the Master of Complications puts the technical mastery it is renowned for on the pedestal that it deserves. Far more than a decorative exercise, skeletonisation is the process of reducing a movement to its essential structure without compromising its strength, reliability, or performance. Every bridge, plate and supporting element must be carefully re-engineered to withstand functional demands while creating a harmonious visual composition. In doing so, the movement ceases to sit behind the dial and instead becomes the dial itself, revealing the craftsmanship, finishing and ingenuity that would otherwise remain hidden from view.

Master Jumper Skeleton

The Long Island Evolution Master Jumper Skeleton represents skeletonisation at its most technical, stripping away visual barriers to reveal the sophisticated mechanics required to power Franck Muller’s first triple jumping complication. Its movement has been meticulously openworked to expose the complex interaction of five synchronised discs responsible for the instantaneous display of the hours, minutes and date. Rather than concealing this choreography beneath a dial, the skeletonised construction places it at the centre of the visual experience.

At its heart is the in-house calibre MVT 3100-CS1, engineered to power three perfectly aligned jumping indications displayed through equidistant apertures. While jumping displays are inherently energy-intensive, the challenge becomes even greater when the hours, minutes and date must perform instantaneous jumps in precise coordination. This demand reaches its peak at the end of each day, when all indications must operate simultaneously while maintaining absolute precision.

To achieve this, Franck Muller’s master craftsmen developed an innovative double-barrel architecture. One barrel powers the movement and date mechanism, while the second is dedicated to driving the jumping hour and minute displays. By dividing these energy demands between two sources, the system delivers stable torque and consistent performance throughout the power reserve.

The movement of the Long Island Evolution Master Jumper has been skeletonised to accentuate this technical achievement. The five display discs, together with the wheels that govern their motion, remain visible from the front of the watch through a precisely machined supporting bridge. Every structural element has been carefully shaped around the elongated proportions of the movement, transforming the calibre into a highly technical composition where the flow of energy can be observed as it travels through the mechanism.

An additional sapphire crystal integrated at the level of the inner bezel level adds further dimensionality to the display. By incorporating the frames of the three apertures for “hours,” “minutes,” and “date” directly onto this crystal, the construction preserves the openness of the calibre while creating a layered high-technology aesthetic that enhances the sensation of depth throughout the movement.

The Long Island Evolution Master Jumper Skeleton is introduced this year in a striking bi-material execution that pairs a rose gold inner case with a black PVD-treated titanium outer case. Beyond its bold contrast, the multi-layered construction serves a technical purpose, providing enhanced shock protection for the movement while allowing the sapphire crystal display to be secured to the flange without visible fixing screws. The result is a more seamless and architectural presentation that further accentuates the openness of the skeletonised calibre. Alongside this new interpretation, the timepiece remains available in its original variation featuring distinctive pine green accents, offering a sporty expression of the collection’s technical character.

Round Triple Mystery Skeleton

Marking a new milestone for Franck Muller, the Round Triple Mystery Skeleton is the first in the Mystery series to undergo full skeletonisation. By unveiling the mechanics that lie behind the House’s signature handless display, the timepiece offers a fascinating new perspective on a complication traditionally defined by illusion, transforming the movement itself into part of the spectacle.

Architectural transparency redefines the dial here, where the skeletonisation seamlessly extends from the central disc outward across both the hour and minute discs. The challenge of skeletonising a Mystery watch lies in preserving the visual lightness of the rotating discs while simultaneously revealing the underlying mechanisms that animate them. To achieve this, the movement has been reduced to an exceptionally delicate framework, allowing the eye to follow the transmission of energy across the calibre while maintaining the captivating appearance of discs suspended in motion.

Powered by the in-house calibre MVD 2800-TMY, the exposed movement drives three fully independent rotating discs displaying the hours, minutes and seconds, while keeping a 42-hour power reserve. By eliminating the rear case gasket, the design provides an unobstructed view from the back of the movement, which is supported by a solid transparent sapphire casing ring.

The rapidly rotating central seconds disc is designed to be exceptionally lightweight, weighing a total of just 0.052g, comprising a skeletonised aluminium pastille (0.047g), a triangle-cut sapphire indicator (0.002g), and a centrally placed diamond (0.003g). Measuring just 0.3mm in width, each bridge reflects an extraordinary level of precision, balancing structural integrity with visual lightness. These finely executed structures create an impression of weightlessness while retaining the rigidity necessary for reliable operation.

The second, minute and hour discs are skeletonised in a delicate geometric motif inspired by a spirograph, chosen to evoke the perpetual rotation of the watch. The composition creates a mesmerising interplay of light, geometry and motion, with every rotation revealing new reflections and perspectives, reinforcing the evocative nature of the Mystery.

Framing this technical composition, the 39mm white gold case is set with 120 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 3.9 carats, adding a refined brilliance that illuminates the skeletonised movement. The skeletonised hour and minute discs boast 281 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.96 carats), while three triangle-cut sapphire indicators total 0.09 carats. The Round Triple Mystery Skeleton is also available in variations featuring emerald indicators in a white gold case, and ruby indicators in a rose gold case.

The Round Triple Mystery Skeleton is currently a finalist in the Gemset category at the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) 2026.

Vanguard Curvex Cut Flower

Expanding the Maison’s floral skeleton line, Franck Muller introduces a fresh iteration of the Vanguard Curvex Cut Flower, now adorned with pink sapphires alongside brilliant-cut diamonds. The timepiece transforms a skeletonised movement into a blooming mechanical landscape where haute horlogerie and high jewellery exist in perfect harmony.

At the centre of the concept is an unconventional approach to movement construction: rather than concealing the movement beneath a decorative dial, the calibre itself forms the composition. The bridges, which traditionally serve purely mechanical purposes, are reimagined as floral stems, creating a botanical framework that supports both the mechanics of the watch and the visual identity of the piece. Functional watchmaking components and decorative design become inseparable, resulting in a movement whose structure directly contributes to its aesthetic identity.

The delicate floral arrangement, housed within a rose gold Vanguard case, features three larger flowers and three smaller ones that appear suspended above the movement. The blooms comprise 36 exceptional Curvex Cut™ pink sapphire petals, each boasting a patented 73-facet geometry, while six brilliant-cut diamonds provide luminous focal points at the heart of each flower. Arranged along a gentle curve across the dial, the composition evokes the natural movement of flowers in bloom while drawing the eye through the intricate architecture of the calibre beneath.

This transparency allows light to travel freely through the openworked construction, animating the movement from every angle and accentuating its depth. Powered by the in-house MVT FM 1540-VS3, a manually wound skeleton movement with a four-day power reserve, the watch demonstrates how technical architecture can serve both mechanical performance and artistic expression.

The result is skeletonisation in its most poetic form. By transforming structural components into a living floral composition, the Vanguard Curvex Cut Flower exemplifies Franck Muller’s ability to unite sophisticated watchmaking with exquisite gem-setting artistry, preserving the transient beauty of a flower in a form designed to endure.

The Vanguard Curvex Cut Flower is also offered in variations featuring Curvex Cut™ rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds, housed in a diamond-encrusted rose gold or white gold case. A special Color Dreams variation features multi-coloured precious gem petals on the skeletonised dial.

The Vanguard Curvex Cut Flower is currently a finalist in the Jewellery category at the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) 2026.

Discover more Franck Muller timepieces at our boutiques, or online.